It’s Raining Blood! Blade Rave Takes Manhattan

Partygoers at music venue, Terminal 5, in Manhattan, N.Y. (Photo: Tim Bugbee, The Big Takeover), will be taking part in a “Blade Rave” on Oct. 9. The dance party was inspired by the “blood rave” scene in Blade (1998). (Photo: New Line Cimena; Mixmag) Photo montage by Anthony Hogg.

Before the article’s publication, I came across a similar event: BBQ Films’ “Blade Rave,” which will be held at Terminal 5, a music venue in Manhattan, N.Y., on Oct. 9, 2015. I was struck by the event similarities, so I decided to investigate whether they were merely coincidental.

I contacted BBQ Films via their info account on their website on Aug. 26 and received a reply from BBQ Films co-founder, Gabriel Rhoads, on Aug. 27, which was accompanied by a press kit and an offer for press passes. I would have loved to attend, but I had to decline the tickets since the event was too far from my home in Vancouver.

“Blade Rave” announced by BBQ Films on their Facebook page on June 4, 2015. (Photo: Erin Chapman)

A teaser video titled “LA MAGRA IS COMING,” was posted on Vimeo on June 2, 2015 and was shared on their Facebook page on June 4, 2015. It featured actors recreating characters from Blade (1998), particularly Whistler and Deacon Frost, who announces vampires will “take our rightful place at the top of the fucking food chain.”

Interestingly, the Blood Rave’s URL was registered on Aug. 12, 2015—some time after BBQ Films announced their project. I had asked Gabriel about the coincidence in my email on Aug. 31 and he responded with:

We saw that yeah, and as you noted, we went public with our event first. At the end of the day though, we consider BBQ Films as part of a larger movement of immersive cinema. So it’s great to see that creativity spread. I’d like to point out at least one MAJOR difference between our events, however. These guys in Amsterdam publicized using actual blood, reportedly. This sounds like a health code violation waiting to happen. We make sure our events are safe and fun for all.

Note we’re also an immersive screening – with the film and elements from the film beyond just blood.

We use set builds, actors, music, food, and beverage to help people feel like they’ve stepped through the screen into a movie. We focus on selecting the right films, and making sure we screen them in a location that’s perfect for the film. We’re keeping much of the event to ourselves for now, but for a peek inside other events, see here:

To top it off, BBQ Films’ website has announced that their Blade Rave is the “Official Afterparty of New York Super Week, Presented by New York Comic Con,” which, according to Rhoads, will allow attendees to:

continue their experience after they walk out of the doors of the convention center. We bring our events to a wide range of people, but we are thrilled with the partnership with Comic Con – this year is our first. We’ll be inviting in folk from Comic Con and a broader audience as well.

Their events must be resonating with audiences because their press release says: “Blade Rave ​is the latest in a series of 19 events hosted by BBQ Films that brings cult classic films to life.” This made me question Gabriel on what inspired this event:

We all saw BLADE (and many of the other films we present) as kids. If you’ve seen the movie, and you’re a fan of raves, who hasn’t imagined themselves in that party? The same thing goes with buying a record from the Empire Records store. Or even attending Bernie’s amazing houseparty from Weekend At Bernie’s….

They even chose innovative names for the types of tickets for the event:

Regular tickets are now available at a cost of $56 for Vampires and Familiars ​/ $108 for ​Purebloods​, with a portion of proceeds going to charity (TBA in advance of the event). All ticket levels will bring you into the world of BLADE, with the immersive cinematic detail that guests have come to expect from BBQ Films. All tickets include a screening, live music and performances, a limited-edition event poster, and more. ​Purebloods​ get the special treatment they deserve as centuries-old royalty, including access to private areas, unique performances, and special one-of-a-kind gifts. ​Together, we raise the blood god.

At the time this article went to press, Rhoads had not yet announced which charity the proceeds will be going to.

BBQ Films managed to get a stellar music line up for the event: The Crystal Method, Pictureplane, a place both wonderful and strange, and DJ Choyce Hacks​. I thought it may have been difficult to get an artist on board with with the gory blood rain concept, but according to Rhoads I was wrong:

We have been integrating music into our shows for years now. Music is one of the most transportive experiences — just think about an evening seeing your favorite artist. When we approach the right artist, we show them a stage that’s a natural fit. When we get that right, they are very receptive. This was as true of the artists in our current show as it was for GWAR, or Richard Usher from Partners in Kryme, or the artists from Postmodern Jukebox.

Insight-Event’s Blood Rave couldn’t confirm for me if real or synthetic blood was going to be used at their show, but BBQ Films was able to discuss their concept more openly: “Note: The rain will be a safe fake blood substance, and there will be areas in the venue where guests can avoid the rain.” Rhoads added:

We can’t give too many details about the blood rain, but we absolutely never considered using real blood. We are consulting with field experts in producing this event, and will be using a safe non toxic water soluble substance that washes off easily. Guests will be warned in advance of the rain, and will be able to decide if they want to participate. We are dedicated to creating an experience where everyone can have fun.

I was glad to hear real blood was not being used as my first thought is a hygiene and sanitation nightmare, not to mention the clean up involved. Rhoads said: “Our event hosts at Terminal 5 are pros, and have done a wide range of events. Just before we selected the venue, the band GWAR had played, and rained everyone in green fluid.”

The only question I posed to Rhoads that he didn’t answer was: “Will Blade be making an appearance? Did you manage to get any actors from the original movie to agree and join in the fun?” He said: “I cant comment on this.” Perhaps the folks attending the Official Afterparty of New York Super Week are in for a fangastic surprise?

We all saw BLADE (and many of the other films we present) as kids: Rhoads, e-mail message to author.

Regular tickets are now available at a cost of $56 for Vampires and Familiars: Ibid.

Rhoads had not yet announced which charity the proceeds will be going to: However Rhoads’ LinkedIn profile lists his work with The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, an organisation which “seeks to transform the life trajectories of vulnerable and economically disadvantaged youth. We make large, long-term investments, frequently partnering with other funders, and promote effective public and private support of nonproﬁts with a potential for growth and compelling evidence that they can help more young people become successful, productive adults.” Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, 2015, accessed Sept. 18, 2015, http://www.emcf.org/. archive.is link: https://archive.is/nRrqi.

BBQ Films managed to get a stellar music line up for the event: BBQ Films, BBQ Films BLADE Lineup Announcement.

We have been integrating music into our shows for years now: Rhoads, e-mail message to author.

but BBQ Films was able to discuss their concept more openly: BBQ Films, BBQ Films BLADE Lineup Announcement.

We can’t give too many details about the blood rain: Rhoads, e-mail message to author.

“Our event hosts at Terminal 5 are pros”: Ibid.

“I can’t comment on this”: Ibid.

If you’re looking for other vampire-themed events this October, check out “There Are Such Things! Vampire Studies Symposium 2015.” For further details, visit: http://vampiresymposium.com.

Erin is Vamped’s Co-administrator. She is the owner of Vampire Classifieds and Horror Classifieds. She has 2 turtles; has 15 piercings and 5 tattoos; loves turtles and walking around in bare feet. She has a degree in marketing and sales and has been in the industry for over 12 years. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.